Happy 2018! I hope the Christmas break went well. 2018 is the Year of Young People in Scotland and next week I will be attending an event at the council to celebrate this.

School started back smoothly this week, with staff in on Monday and working on a variety of things as well as current curricular and assessment changes. These included work on student Health and Wellbeing, Mental Health Awareness training and a session from Skills Development Scotland on developing vocational skills and awareness through curricular subjects. Linked to this, next week in school S2 students will benefit from “speed dating” sessions with professionals in a range of careers. I want to thank Ms Hickinson for leading the planning on this, and those parents who have been able to support her request for volunteers to help deliver the event.

At the end of term we also appointed the two new science Curriculum Leaders, with Ms Hickinson and Mr McKnight the successful applicants. I am looking forward to working with them in the year ahead. Next week we will be interviewing for chemistry and physics staff, and by the end of January interviews for Geography will also take place.

S3 parents should have received communication from Mr Pye this week about the forthcoming parent evening linked to S3 learning reviews and choice of subjects but I am also copying this below just to bring to your attention.

Finally, I want your support with a matter in relation to student support and safety. This relates to cars accessing the carpark at the start and end of the day. Like many other schools, I am asking you to refrain from doing this. Not only does it impair the access for taxis dropping off and collecting many students who require this transport, but it can present a hazard. Our facility management partner, AMEY will be monitoring the carpark entrance with CCTV and the support of our campus liaison officer, PC Adam. Please, in the interests of student welfare and safety, drop off students near the school rather than at the entrance or inside the carpark. This would be much appreciated.

T Rae
Head Teacher

Information from Mr Pye

10th January 2018

Dear Parents/Carers of S3,

Happy New Year. Please find details of the information within this pack, which focuses on progress in S3 and the review of learning as we plan for S4 and National Qualifications.

S3 Report
Please find the full progress report enclosed.

Parents Consultation Online Booking
The S3 Consultation Evening is on Wednesday 24th January from 1700-1930. This system will allow you to have control over your evening including availability and pre-meeting communication with our teaching staff, guidance staff and careers advisors.
Please type – http://www.parents-booking.co.uk/craigmount into your web browser. Login to see all of your son/daughter’s teachers and which appointments are available. The system will go live on Monday 15th January at 1900 and will be open to make your bookings until Wednesday 24th January at 1500. Appointments can be amended and cancelled until this point for your convenience. I would strongly encourage you to book early.
To login you will need:
• The Main (parental) Contacts Name (as held on the school management system)
• Your child’s legal First Name and legal Surname
• Your child’s Date of Birth
Once you have logged in, you can use the ‘Automated Booking’ wizard to make your appointments. You will be asked to enter your availability and choose which staff you want to see before being shown the most efficient order for visiting those teachers on the night.
If you are unable to book online, please call the office on 0131 339 6823 between 0930-1500 and a member of our staff will be able to book available appointments on your behalf.

Review of Learning
Please find the attached ‘Review of Learning’ form which should be completed and returned to Guidance staff by Friday 27th January. We hope the report combined with consultation meetings will provide a good basis for course review aligned with potential post school plans.